Nal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6801
posted
I love this group and I love the support. Sometimes though, I just cant come here and read the posts. There are times that its just too depressing or overwhelming.
I try to reply. I don't reply to a lot of them because I am really of no assitance to anyone. Im doing my best to learn about this stupid illness myself and don't have a whole lot to offer others.
Do any of the rest of you ever feel like this? Also, Id love to hear from others who are moms dealing with kids at home while fighting this ridiculous illness.
Today is just a sad day for me-not feeling so well. Tomorrow may be better. Im starting to lose hope though that this crazy illness will ever get better or go away.
Thanks for listening once again.
nancy
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
Hi Nancy, So sorry today has been a sad day for you. I hope that tomorrow will be a lot better.
When your day isn't going well, please come tell us & maybe you'll feel better just knowing that others understand. You don't have to read a lot. Just read what you think will help you at that moment.
Don't feel as if you're no assistance to anyone. You may not have reached the point where you feel comfortable answering questions, but you can always tell someone -
"I have children at home, too." "Thanks for asking that. I've been wondering the same thing." "I understand how you feel." It may be exactly what that person needs to hear.
Please don't give up hope!! I know that's easy for others to say, but if you can find something positive to hang on to each day, it'll help you get thru the rough times. It also helps your immune system.
Make the effort to notice the little things in life - a beautiful flower (even if it's on a weed), a bird singing, signs of spring all around us, & especially special things your children say & do.
Sometimes a little humor can help when we're feeling low.
I admire the mothers who can deal with Lyme disease while they have children at home. What ages are your children?
Do you have family or friends that could give you a little help when you need it the most?
Sometimes we have to ask because most people don't realize what LD can do to a person. Generally they say - you don't look like you're sick. In those incidences, I usually tell them "it's deceptive packaging!"
A while back, we had a topic where we shared hints that made life a little easier.
Example: When ground meat is on sale, buy a good size package. Cook some hamburgers & then brown the rest of it (just don't overcook). Freeze in convenient portions for your family. I make l lb pks. You only have to wash the pan once.
Then if you want to make spaghetti, lasagna, meat casserole, homemade vegetable soup, etc - you're half way there with the meat ready to use. Saves time & energy - which is a good thing.
Be assured that others understand & care!!
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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Nal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6801
posted
Thank you Cbb. I actually do have a very supportive family. My hubby is great and my dad lives here in town. Not to mention I do have supportive friends who help with the two year old when I need them too.
The cooking ideas are good ones. I do that from time to time myself. My kids are ages 11, 8 and 2-all girls and all healthy thank goodness. I have dealt with this illness for over 7 years now. It gets old!
Anyway, thanks for the shoulder.
Nancy
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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Sometimes I feel terrible that reading other people's misery makes me feel better because I can put my own into perspective- at least I have a supportive husband and family, I have the money to barely scrape it together to pay for treatment, I am getting better, I can still function to keep my job, etc...
Other times it is just too much and I want to go and kick something.
This disease is just not fair. It really sucks!
I have kids and the other day when I wasn't feeling well my 6 year old son asked me to tickle him and said he wanted me to because I always smile when I tickle him. He said I hadn't been smiling that day and he liked it better when I smiled. It made me sad to think I might be making memories of a sad or sick mom for my kids.
It is hard to balance it all. I am so thankful that my children are healthy.
Sometimes all we can offer is the understanding of knowing that it does suck to have Lyme.
-------------------- Lucy Posts: 342 | From Hawaii | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
Hi Lucy, We can all lean on each other!!
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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Ann-OH
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2020
posted
I am sitting here in wonder that Nan in Colorado is getting hugs all the way from Hawaii and South Carolina! Sometimes the internet is really lovely!
posted
I also feel like some days it's too depressing to read any more about this illness. Yet, this is the only place where I feel people understand what its like to live with Lyme. And for us moms, it's helpful to hear how others are able to take care of their children while struggling with the disease.
For me the hardest part of being sick for nearly two years now is not being able to participate as fully as I want to in the life of my five-year-old son. The most devastating period for me was when my son was diagnosed three months ago with Lyme. Fortunately, it didn't seem to affect him in any debilitating way and after two months of treatment he seems quite well.
Do any of you ever wonder whether you have some other illness in addition to or instead of Lyme? I'm constantly paranoid when new symptoms pop up that I actually have some life threatening disease and my fear becomes far more severe than the physical pain. This despite having an extremely positive western blot with seven bands registering positive. Just curious whether I'm the only paranoid one.
Posts: 6 | From New York | Registered: Jan 2006
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hiker53
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 6046
posted
Hang in there and on the days you don't feel like you want to read about misery do not log onto Lymenet. Everyone needs a break from hearing about the disease. Don't feel bad about taking a break from this forum now and then. Just come back when you need support etc. Hiker
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 8890 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
I think alot of us feel this way Nan, you definitely aren't alone!
Sometimes just that *hug* is enough to say when you can't say anything else
It's hard with the kids...I'm thankful that mine are old enough to understand, I can't imagine trying to explain it to the younger ones. Even with mine it's the same - they sure do notice when I'm not smiling!
I make sure I hug and kiss lots, just so they know it's not them I'm not smiling about.
Wondering about having something else wrong hits us often too, I'm sure....it's a very real possibilty since Lyme knocks the immune system down and makes us more susceptible (sp?) to things. I think that makes us a bit paranoid.
Nal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6801
posted
quote:Originally posted by LiveWell: I also feel like some days it's too depressing to read any more about this illness. Yet, this is the only place where I feel people understand what its like to live with Lyme. And for us moms, it's helpful to hear how others are able to take care of their children while struggling with the disease.
For me the hardest part of being sick for nearly two years now is not being able to participate as fully as I want to in the life of my five-year-old son. The most devastating period for me was when my son was diagnosed three months ago with Lyme. Fortunately, it didn't seem to affect him in any debilitating way and after two months of treatment he seems quite well.
Do any of you ever wonder whether you have some other illness in addition to or instead of Lyme? I'm constantly paranoid when new symptoms pop up that I actually have some life threatening disease and my fear becomes far more severe than the physical pain. This despite having an extremely positive western blot with seven bands registering positive. Just curious whether I'm the only paranoid one.
I do often worry that I have some other illness than Lyme. My tests were positive as well. Symptoms come up that sometimes cause me to question it. This disease can definately bring out paranoia in us at times!
Nancy
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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